The 2007-2008 winter issue of Deconstruction has been distributed across campus this week. You can pick them up at places on Main Street, like the Brew Ha-Ha, as well as in some of the lecture halls and the library.

If you wrote for the magazine, we have copies on reserve for you! Stop by the next meeting (Wed. March 5th, 6:30pm in the Scrounge) to pick up your copy.

An online version of the magazine will be on the website within the next few days if you can’t get your hands on a physical copy. To give you a little taste of the magazine, here’s an article by Bob McGinnis.

As if “I Love New York” didn’t cover trashy love based reality TV already, “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” should fill in the holes. Tila, a “hot” bisexual girl, is looking for love, and in today’s world, where else is there other than MTV and your own show to find true love and real romance? After all, only the best relationships are created on television.

In a “Shot at Love” there is the added twist that both Males and Females are competing for Tila’s heart, while only one will win in the end. MTV really thought hard about this show; its main appeal lies in the fact that lesbians vying for Tila’s affection could make out with one another if they get bored. This should attract more viewers than the too similar “I Love New York”; Straight guys can’t resist trying to catch some girl-on-girl action, and of course, the lesbian viewers will find the show’s lesbians hotter than the star Tila Tequila (which isn’t hard, considering Tila is reminiscent of E.T.). Not to mention, the men on the show are so irresistible, that they might be able to turn a lesbian, giving the viewers the unexpected night-cam shot of them messing around at night. You have got to love how MTV acts like they didn’t plan this – there’s twenty people and only one bed in the whole house; clad with silk sheets nonetheless.

This show has to be a breakthrough for MTV; it’s got everything all the other shows don’t have. Of course this is a lie; it degrades women and this show isn’t helping the bisexual or lesbian community assimilate either. On the surface, this show could be helping the general public be more open towards sexuality, yet, the context of the show makes it just another piece of trash – MTV quality.

This show exploits bisexuality multiple times by unfortunately highlighting the stereotype that bisexuals are attracted to anything with genitals. What’s laughable is that Tila uses her bisexuality for dramatic purposes. Anytime she’s not getting enough, she confesses that being bi is difficult, and this is her “first time coming out” and everyone is just making it so hard. “First time coming out”? Obviously she had to tell the producers she was bi, if indeed she is at all. And if this was her first time coming out, she picked one hell of a time to do it. When MTV uses bisexuality as a platform for drama, it’s a slap in the face to anyone who actually had to fear coming out. This little midget slut has twenty-plus people chasing after her, and she is woebegone. I guess she’s not that big of a hoe after all.

It degrades women by idolizing the idea that looks are everything, and that a girl becomes desirable and worthy of love by being a total idiot with a tan and breast implants (okay, maybe they’re real). I mean, where did Tila Tequila come from and why do these people even want to hook up with her? MySpace and Playboy got her famous, but what is she really famous for other than being eye candy and a tool? Everything about these women on the show does nothing good for setting positive roles for girls.
And what about the men? While I first overlooked them, they also are a setting a bad example. All of the men on the show are macho and basically there for sex. Supposedly they are there to win Tila’s love and affection, but after all, MTV is really just talking about sex drive here. How else would the men and women really “fall for Tila” when all they’ve seen of her is her tits? I doubt those five minute one-on-one talks really let them find each other out as a person. The roles the males play also promote negativity; they resort to fighting when things don’t go their way, and they frequently disrespect the women around them.

Regardless, what can I expect from MTV? It appeals to the shallowness in everyone, idolizing sex and good looks. People know MTV is trash, and luckily no one takes it seriously—at least we hope. However, if there are still some viewers who believe these harmful stereotypes are true, advocate groups for women or the gay community may have a more difficult time dispelling these false and insulting generalizations. Yet, I suppose it’s a bit harsh to call Tila a midget slut. Sadly, this nation runs on money, so she’s only being a good American citizen by doing what she can to get that cash. I’m sure E.T. would do the same.

Spring semester is knocking at our wintry doors, and what better way to kick its ass than with a new issue of Deconstruction? The early February issue is at the printers right now, and I must say I think it’s smart, witty, and just an all around good read. Here are some updates as to what to expect in these next few weeks.

We plan to reserve the Trabant Kiosk for Wednesday Feb. 13th and Wed. Feb. 20th between 11am and 3pm. If you’re free to man the kiosk sometime on either day, shoot us an email and let us know.

Our first meeting will be held Wednesday Feb. 13th at 6:30pm in the Scrounge at Perkins Student Center off Academy Street. We’ll be brainstorming for the next issue and passing out copies of the new issue. Feel free to bring any friends who are interested in helping out or getting published. If you can’t make it, but want to write for the magazine, let us know.

For the new issue, we’ve added some new features, including advertisements and space for local artists and photographers to display their work. If you’re interested in either, or know anyone who is, feel free to contact us.

The newest issue of Deconstruction arrived at the printers this afternoon, so you can expect all of its juicy goodness when you come back from winter break. We’ll be organizing some kind of event and meetings soon, so get ready to ramp up for another semester at Deconstruction.

If you happen to live in Delaware or New Jersey, you had the chance to vote in presidential primaries today. Here’s hoping you did, as the polls are closed and the votes are being counted.

At this point it looks like Obama is taking Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, and Illinois while Clinton is likely to take Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The republicans are little less clear, with McCain likely to take Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey. Huckabee has won West Virginia already and is leading Arkansas and Missouri. Romney isn’t going empty handed: he has his home state of Massachusetts.

In honor of Super Tuesday, here’s some samples from the new issue’s presidential candidates feature.

Presidential Speed Dating: Who Will You Choose
by Evie Hayman, Wallace McKelvey, and Amy Saltzman

Hillary Clinton: People do crazy things freshman year, like taking the “walk of shame,” vomiting in public… or leading the Young Republican club. Guess which one this rebellious lioness did. However, this fembot doesn’t change all her opinions so easily. Hillary is known for her loyalty: to universal health care, women’s rights, and her baby’s daddy, Bill. But don’t mistake loyalty for weakness, this stone cold fox shows no emotion unless votes are at stake. Like a fine wine, Hillary gets better with age and experience.

John Edwards: John Edwards is the true undergod. Despite a $29.5 million net worth, he describes himself as the “people’s candidate” and has likened himself to Seabiscuit. He’s built a platform on universal health care and ending poverty, having clawed his way from the textile mill to the Senate and, possibly, the presidency. In 2004, Edwards played Barney to John Kerry’s Fred, but will he be willing to play Bonnie to Hillary Clinton’s Clyde?

Mike Huckabee: Should you choose Huckabee, be prepared to rock out Saturday night and cleanse your soul Sunday morning. As the bass player for rock band Capitol Offense, he’s opened for Willie Nelson and REO Speedwagon. Don’t expect the usual rock star antics, such as cocaine use or pre-marital sex. He’s a good Baptist minister who still supports the war in Iraq, opposes Darwin, and has recruited Stephen Colbert as his running mate.

John McCain: John McCain has lived the kind of dangerous life that Schwarzenegger can only dream of. He endured six years of torture in North Vietnam after being shot down by the Viet Cong. A supporter of the Iraq War, he is the only presidential candidate to have a son serving there. McCain has called himself “a wiseass.” This year he was rebuked on the floor of the House of Representatives after saying he had picked out a gift for Jon Stewart in Baghdad: “a little IED [improvised explosive device] to put on your desk.” Some people just can’t take a joke.

Barack Obama: This human melting pot is more than just a tall, lean hunk of man. Obama has won fans ranging from young voters to Edwards’ former compadre, John Kerry. But no hard feelings; this grassroots campaign can do no wrong in the eyes of college students. After all, Obama has admitted to using alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine during his teenage years. He also credits poker as a guilty pleasure. With this party hard attitude, we have a feeling many shots will be dedicated to Obama in the upcoming months.

Mitt Romney: Don’t let his MySpace fool you, this conservative poster child isn’t as boring as he looks. If you don’t believe us, ask 75,202 New Hampshire voters. And did we mention he’s a Mormon? Although he has tried to keep it a secret, the press just loves polygamy. Co-Editor-in-Chief Amy thinks Romney is a G(randfather)ILF. What more endorsement do you need?

Unfortunately, the Winter 2007 edition of DEconstruction won’t be back from the printers in time for distribution before Christmas break. We feel your pain, which is why we put together this sampler of the upcoming issue, featuring just a taste of the juicy goodness held inside its pages.

The print edition will be distributed the first week of February upon our return. If you have any comments or would like to write for the magazine, please email us at derridevil@gmail.com.

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed their time off. There won’t be a meeting next week because we’ll be meeting every day, beginning on Monday, at 5p.m. in computer lab B in the basement of the library to lay out the magazine.

If you haven’t submitted your final drafts yet, please send them in tonight or tomorrow morning.